04 - pocket pets and psittacosis

Question 1

1. clinical signs in humans?

Answer 1

1. fever, chills, headache, lethargy, malaise, muscle aches, cough

Question 2

2. cx in birds?

Answer 2

1. “general sick looking bird,” listless, ruffled feathers, not eating, wt loss, runny eyes, nasal discharge, diarrhea with greenish colored urates

chronic can appear normal

Question 3

1. how is C. pittaci transmitted?

Answer 3

1. breathing in dried droppings or resp secretions from infected birds

handling feathers or other infected tissues

mouth to beak contact

Question 4

1. drug of choice for tx?

Answer 4

doxycycline

Question 5

1. rules and regulations regarding placement of pet birds in nursing homes/day cares.

Answer 5

1. can have birds if have been shown to be free of C. Psittaci
2. vets and labs required to report a dx of C. ptittaci to MN board of animal health

Question 6

1. Where do you find up-to-date info on C. psittaci infections in animals?

Answer 6

1. Compendium of measures to control C. Psittaci infection among humans and pet birds (avma)

Question 7

Which zoonotic agents are most common in pocket pets?

Answer 7

Pasteurella, salmonella, Yersinia enterocolitica, campylobacter, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (wild mice, hamsters), streptobacillus moniloformis (rat bite fever!)

Question 8

Be able to provide owners recommendations for disease prevention and appropriate hygiene.

Answer 8

Supervise children, wash your hands, don’t eat poop, don’t put in mouth